I have been on a big downer kick lately. I think it all started when I watched the Showtime series The Big C, which takes a lighthearted look at dealing with cancer, but occasionally throws a few curveballs at us, and we're left bawling like babies.
I have been thinking about the saddest movies I've seen. Don't worry, Titanic is not on this list. And thus far, this is merely a work in progress.
Terms of Endearment: This is one of the best-written films I've ever seen and every actor in the film is at the top of his or her game, from Jack Nicholson's brilliant portrayal of an egomaniacal aging astronaut, to Shirley MacLaine's overbearing childrearing, to Debra Winger's unflappable drive, spirit, and audacity. When Debra Winger's character finally succumbs to the cancer, Shirley MacLaine's reaction is so real and so heartwrenching, and the words she says are those that we all would say.
Savior: A heartbreaking film about the horrors of war in Serbia. Many of the scenes are too difficult for me to watch, most particularly when children are shot, a woman is raped, and a pregnant woman is kicked in the stomach. It's so real it's scary.
Truly Madly Deeply: A movie about a woman trying to cope with the untimely death of her husband.
Grave of the Fireflies: This animated film is beautiful and sad, mostly because the tragedies were all highly avoidable.
Atonement: It's best to live a good life with no regrets.
Schindler's List: For so many reasons.
Requiem for a Dream: Sad and tragic. I can't watch the last scene.
21 Grams: It's frightening how one false move can alter your life forever.
Pan's Labyrinth: Gorgeous. Wasn't expecting this one to be so sad.
Alpha Dog: Sometimes we back ourselves into a corner from which we cannot return.
7 Pounds: We are what we've done.
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